Nanotechnology and polymer science in drug delivery

You will be introduced to the principles behind the formulation of nanotechnology and polymer-based drug delivery systems, their characterisation and the way they behave in vitro and in vivo. Diverse organic nanoparticle systems, such as lipid-based formulations, micelles, liposomes, emulsions/suspensions and natural/synthetic polymeric nanoformulations as well as inorganic nanoparticle systems including silica and metal-based nanoparticles will be discussed in the context of drug delivery and diagnostics. You will learn about key tools for the physicochemical characterisation of nanoparticles, and bio-nano interactions. You will also conduct laboratory-based experiments to characterize nanotechnology and polymer-based drug delivery systems and to test your laboratory-based skills.